Cathedral Music Trust has brought together musicians from over 20 cathedrals for a digital recreation of the ancient service of compline, aiming to bring peace and solace at a time of continued isolation and lockdown. The digital service features Revd Lucy Winkett, Harry Christophers CBE, Roderick Williams and Eddie Redmayne, and will go live on Thursday 18 March at 8.30pm.
Compline is an ancient form of night prayer going back over a thousand years. Literally meaning ‘completion’, it is a beautiful service of contemplation and reflection for people of all faiths and none to mark the end of the day.
This virtual presentation of compline marks the premiere of three brand new commissions by leading composers: ‘Together in Unity’ by Bob Chilcott, ‘Nunc Dimittis’ by Joanna Marsh and 'Te lucis ante terminum’ by Paul Mealor.
Chair of the Cathedral Music Trust, Peter Allwood, commented: ‘The UK’s choral music tradition is unsurpassed in the world today. As we seek to recover from the challenging experience of this COVID-19 outbreak, we hope this very special service brings peace to many and, through your generous donations, enables us to assist our choirs in continuing to share the joy of music with all who wish to listen or participate. I would like to thank the singers, composers, leaders and editors who have generously given their time for this worthy cause.’
Watch online
Participating cathedrals include:
Brecon Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Cathedral Isle of Man
Chelmsford Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Ely cathedral
Exeter Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral
Newcastle Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Southwell Minster
St Albans Cathedral Choir
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
St Paul’s Cathedral
Truro Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Westminster Abbey
Winchester Cathedral